Jeff Porter

For LaKeisha Perez, running has always come naturally: “I’ve been running since I was little. I continued in high school. Now, basically all I do is run.” When she was younger, competing in her local “Children’s Summer Track” team provided her with a fun pastime. In high school, it became a means for her to stay in shape. However, further down the line, running became something much more. “I’m just a competitive person,” Perez says.

Surprisingly, Perez admitted that she had no plans of running when she first arrived at RIT. Fortunately, the combined efforts of her best friend, Kim Williams, a sprinter at Binghamton University, and their high school track coach motivated her to continue to pursue track. Little did they know how far Perez would go.

Here at RIT, Perez attributes much of her success to RIT’s sprint coach, Ken Rasmussen. “He’s trained me every day, trying to get me better and [telling me] what I need to do. I feel like having someone who is constantly there and pushing you really makes me want to do better.”

Perez was named Empire 8’s Athlete of the Week five times in the last three months. In addition, she automatically qualified for NCAA’s last outdoor season. However, it isn’t the success that Perez loves most; she loves the feeling of being on a team. “It feels really good to have people cheering for you and you cheering for them. It’s really fulfilling.”

The journey has had its obstacles. Every season, without fail, Perez develops shin problems which she associates with her “bad arches.” “When you get injured, all your other body parts have to work much harder.” Her teammates help her get through. “I don’t feel like I just run for myself. I feel like I run for my team…It’s like I’m doing it more than just for myself.”

At the end of this year, Perez will be graduating with a degree in Accounting. Afterwards, she plans on remaining at RIT for grad school and wants to continue running locally unattached. She also wants to give back to the team that has given her so much. “It will be easier to help other people, because I won’t be running myself.”